The 86th Loudon Classic at New Hampshire Motor Speedway Opens 2009 Laconia Bike Week Celebration
Loudon, NH — The 2009 Laconia Bike Week celebration will open with the 86th Annual Loudon Classic at New Hampshire Motor Speedway from Friday, June 12 through Sunday, June 14.
The Loudon RoadRace Series (LRRS) starts a non-stop, three-day schedule of racing beginning on Friday, June 12. The professionals from the America Sportbike Racing Association (ASRA) will join the stars of the LRRS on Sunday, June 14, for an action-packed afternoon of racing.
Sunday racing will include Round 5 of the Michelin Pro Series featuring Thunderbikes, Superbikes, Superstocks, and the Factory Pro Sportbike Nationals. The touring professionals will not have it easy as the speedway’s challenging road course favors the experienced local racers who have intimate knowledge of the track’s fast line.
Wisconsin’s Danny Bilansky leads the series in the Thunderbike division aboard his Hal’s H-D Buell. Bilansky will face stiff competition from local star, Brett Guyer. Guyer is undefeated in 2009 riding the Seacoast Sport Cycle Ducati Sport Classic.
Meanwhile, Georgia’s Brian Stokes comes to Loudon leading both the Superstock and Factory Pro Sportbike divisions. Stokes will be challenged by several local riders including defending Factory Pro Sportbike National Champion and Higgins Powersports/Roadracing World Kawasaki ZX-6R rider, Jeff Wood. In Superstock, Shane Narbonne of Tyngsboro, Mass. will be a threat on his DAS Performance Suzuki. Narbonne is fresh off a solid 11th place American Superbike finish last weekend at Road America.
Pennsylvania’s Paul Allison will roll into the Loudon paddock with a narrow lead over Brian Stokes in the Superbike division. Allison will have to handle New Hampshire’s Scotty Greenwood aboard his Argo Cycle Kawasaki ZX-6R, Eric Wood riding the Woodcraft Ducati 848, and the Yamaha young guns; Christian Cronin, Brent Lyskawa and Cory Hildebrand, to be at the top of the podium.
“We are proud to host the oldest motorcycle race in North America,” said Jerry Gappens, executive vice president and general manager of New Hampshire Motor Speedway. “We want to welcome the professional riders of the America Sportbike Racing Association as they face two huge challenges: our infamous 1.6-mile road course and the fierce competitors of the Loudon RoadRace Series.”
All races will be run rain or shine, and the Infield will open at 9:00 a.m. daily.
Daily admission is $10, with children age 11 and under admitted free. Infield passes are available for an additional $10 per day. The $50 weekend camping pass includes grandstand and infield admission.
Tickets will be available at the Speedway Main Gate during the event.
Sources: Bob Holcomb/New Hampshire Motor Speedway PR